Leaf damage and small orange dots on orchid?
 

Hello!

I noticed issues with my Phalaenopsis hieroglyphica, at first areas of the leaves that appeared lighter, then little pit like damage and red or orange dots, maybe mites? Wondering if someone could help identify and suggest treatment options? I prefer least toxic route but also don’t want these to spread. Currently pregnant so staying away from chemicals, though I could have my husband spray if needed. Any insight is appreciated, thanks!

I attached a couple photos - it’s kind of hard to see the red dots, they just look like specks in the photo.

I think maybe scale,but someone else should chime in.

First, Welcome!

The little dots are scale. The stippling on the leaves might be spider mites. What do the undersides of the leaves look like? That's where spider mite damage is uaually most apparent.

I really have been preoccupied since middle of the month, I should have also noticed the first post. Big Welcome.
Please forgive me my sis passed on the 16th, makes me all alone of my family. It still shouldnt have made me miss a new member. Hope you find a new home here.

Odd,says you joined two years ago??

No threadjacking meant here, but just wanted to say I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending some healing thoughts your way.

Thanks much and welcome to you also!

Hello! When I touched the orange looking dots, I can sort of move them around (don't know if that matters). I edited my post to include two pictures of the undersides of the leaves as well! What would you suggest as far as treatment options? Can it be saved? Thank you!

---------- Post added at 09:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 PM ----------

Thank you! Yes, I joined a couple years ago I've just been lurking on other's posts and haven't posted anything myself yet! :)

I appreciate the welcome and am sorry for your loss!

That looks like bad spider mite damage on the undersides of the leaves. The scale is just a "bonus". For just a start, you can spray and wipe down the leaf surfaces with rubbing alcohol (70%). Then put a few drops of dish soap in a sprayer with water, and spray all surfaces. Read through some other posts on spider mite treatment (search for "mite" or "spidermite", there are some good ideas scatterered around. Any treatment that you do, you must repeat weekly for 3-4 weeks. (Any of the treatements will only get the adults, so you need to nail the succeeding generations)

Odds are that you can save the plant. The damaged leaves will stay ugly, but if you knock down the infestation, new leaves will grow.

If you go the next step, to chemical pesticides, remember that spider mites are arachnids, not insects so you want to be sure that whatever you are using contains a miticide. There are others on the Board far more knoweledgeable than I am on dealing with these nasty pests. (I mostly grow outside, don't have many pest problems so don't have a lot of knowledge on pesticides)